SpaceX Falcon 9 Problem Traced to Faulty Valve (Updated)

During inspections, SpaceX engineers traced the cause of yesterdays launch scrub to a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. Having discovered the problem SpaceX replaced the valve last night and continue to review data from the aborted launch with the aim of trying again on Tuesday morning.

Right up to t-minus 0.5 seconds it looked like there was going to be a launch. Unfortunately the Falcon 9 computer shutdown the rocket just as it was set to launch due to a slightly high pressure reading in the Merlin engine number 5 combustion chamber, one of nine engines on the Falcon 9 first stage.
The next launch attempt, assuming everything is ok with the rocket, would be at 07:44:34 GMT (3:44:34 a.m. EDT) Tuesday, May 22nd. If they can’t launch on the 22nd, SpaceX has said they can try approximately every three days though they could also try on the 23rd.
This launch by SpaceX is the second demonstration flight of their Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.
During the mission, Dragon must perform a series of complex tasks, each presenting significant technical challenges.
– Day 1/Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
– Day 2: Dragon orbits Earth as it travels toward the International Space Station.
– Day 3: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems are subject to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station; these tests include maneuvers and systems checks that see the vehicle come within 1.5 miles of the station.
– Day 4: NASA decides if Dragon is allowed to attempt to berth with the station. If so, Dragon approaches; it is captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station. This requires extreme precision even as both Dragon and station orbit the earth every 90 minutes.
– Day 5 – TBD: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.
– TBD: After approximately two weeks, Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.
SpaceRef will live blog and broadcast the launch in HD, from NASA TV, on our SpaceRef.com home page starting at 2:30 a.m. EDT.

About Marc Boucher

Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor & publisher. He is the founder of SpaceRef Canada Interactive Inc, CEO and co-founder of SpaceRef U.S., advisor and co-founder of the Canadian Space Commerce Association, and director and co-founder of MaxQ Accelerator Inc. Previously he was the founder of Maple Square, Canada's first internet directory and search engine which he sold.

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